Charges Filed In Crofton, Gambrills Arson Cases

CROFTON, MD – A 19-year-old Crofton man accused of setting a series of arson fires in the Crofton and Gambrills area has been charged with multiple counts of arson, according to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. Nicholas Edward Bukoski of Ayr Court is charged with first-degree arson, second-degree arson, several counts of attempted second-degree arson, attempted malicious burning, several counts of arson involving trash containers and reckless endangerment.

The charges stem from a series of arson fires in the Crofton and Gambrills area beginning in the spring of 2017 through January of this year. The most serious charge, first-degree arson, carries a penalty of up to 30 years imprisonment and/or $50,000 fine.

“The charges resulting from this investigation have removed a dangerous person from the streets before he had the opportunity to cause a serious injury,” said Fire Chief Allan C. Graves. “I want to commend the joint efforts of the fire investigators and the detectives from the Anne Arundel County Police in their investigation leading to these charges."

Early on Jan. 21, a series of fires were reported in the area of Route 3 and John Hopkins Road in Gambrills. They included a Dumpster and trash can fire in the Villages of Waugh Chapel, a second Dumpster fire on John Hopkins Road and a dog waste collection station set on fire near Vineyard Land and Riedel Road.

When fire investigators obtained video surveillance footage from several local businesses, they released it to the public on Jan. 29. Based on the video footage, a white man with dark hair and a mustache was identified as the suspect, and he was later identified as Bukoski.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Anne Arundel County Fire Department Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit and the Anne Arundel County Police Department. Investigators executed arrest and search warrants at Bukoski’s home on April 9, where they collected evidence. Bukowski was arrested by Anne Arundel County Police on unrelated charges and arson charges were later filed.

Bukoski is accused setting fire to a shed, several attempts of setting items on fire at a construction site, including a nursing home under construction and setting fire to a vacant home. No injuries were reported as a result of any of the fires.

Bukoski is being held on a no-bond status at the Jenifer Road Detention Center. Anyone with information is asked to contact fire investigators via the anonymous arson TIPS line at 410-222-TIPS (8747).

Photo of Nicholas Edward Bukoski, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police